Bullying and Harassment
The Indianola CSD believes that all members of the school community should be treated with dignity and respect. To this end, the district prohibits bullying, harassment and other behaviors that degrade others, diminish the safety and civility of the school environment or otherwise interfere with students’ ability to learn and succeed. This applies while students are on district property, riding school-owned or operated vehicles and while attending school-sponsored activities. It also applies to misconduct away from school when such behavior affects the orderly and efficient operation of the school or interferes with students’ ability to access or benefit from district programs.
Definition of Bullying and Harassment
Protected Traits or Characteristics
The term “harassment” and/or “bullying” refers to any physical act, conduct, or remark (e.g. verbal, written, or electronic) toward a student based on their actual or perceived:
- age
- color
- creed
- national origin
- race
- religion
- marital status
- sex
- sexual orientation
- gender identity
- physical attributes
- physical or mental ability or disability
- ancestry
- political party preference
- political belief
- socioeconomic status, or
- familial status
Hostile Environment
To be characterized as “bullying” or “harassment” physical acts, conduct or remarks must create an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:
- Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property.
- Has a substantial detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health.
- Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s academic performance.
- Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.